TEDx SJC School Bangkok: Young Women Rising

When I look back at the journey of TEDx SJC School Bangkok, I can’t help but smile. What began as a spark of an idea in October 2024 evolved into a movement of empowerment, creativity, and courage, culminating in one of the most unforgettable events of my career.

At that time, I was Head Teacher for BFITS at St Joseph Convent School (SJC), a prestigious all-girls Catholic school right in the heart of Bangkok. I was also teaching Grade 10 literacy, surrounded daily by bright, inquisitive students brimming with potential. One afternoon, during a conversation with Giselle Alano, the Assistant Director of BFITS, we began brainstorming ways to challenge our students in meaningful ways — to truly stretch them beyond the classroom and into a space where their voices could truly shine.

That’s when the idea hit: Why not bring TEDx to SJC?

The First Step: The TEDx License

Of course, dreaming up the idea was the easy part. To host an official TEDx event, you need a license from TED. The application process was long, detailed, and at times intimidating, but I knew in my gut it was worth it. On December 24th, while others were celebrating Christmas Eve, I received my own gift: our TEDx license had been approved. Suddenly, this wasn’t just an idea anymore — it was real.

Since we were already nearing the end of the school year, we decided to wait and officially launch the event planning in May 2025. That gave us time to dream big, plan carefully, and build something that would truly honor the TEDx spirit.

From the start, I knew TEDx SJC couldn’t just be a stage and a microphone. It had to be an experience — one that would empower young women to rise, share their stories, and own their voices. That’s how our theme was born: Young Women Rising.

Building the TEDx Dream Team

No TEDx event is the work of a single person. By April, I had stepped into a new role as Program Manager and wasn’t on campus every day, which meant assembling the right team was essential.

Enter Adrienne Wesley, an experienced teacher, business owner, and entrepreneur from the US. Adrienne joined our SJC BFITS Program and became the Lead Coach of our newly launched TEDx Club. With her experience, energy, and passion for mentoring, she was precisely the person we needed to guide students on this journey.

From that point on, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays became sacred TEDx Club days. Small groups of students from Grades 10–12 gathered weekly to unlock their passions, explore big ideas, and slowly but surely craft the talks that would one day be delivered on stage.

From Sticky Notes to Sparkling Idea

We started small. What even is TEDx? What makes a talk inspiring? Which speakers light us up, and why?

One of my favorite early activities came courtesy of our new Head Teacher, Will Brennan, who suggested showing the students Will Stephen’s talk “How to sound smart in your TEDx Talk.” It’s a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek performance about absolutely nothing — but also about everything. It’s a masterclass in body language, presence, and confidence.

After watching, the students grabbed colored sticky notes and wrote down what they liked, what they didn’t, and what stood out. The message was clear: confidence and authenticity are as important as content.

Week by week, Adrienne and I guided the students through the stages of talk development — from brainstorming and narrowing ideas, to crafting hooks and refining structure. Soon, each student had three solid talk concepts. We turned the classroom walls into a gallery walk of posters, with sticky-note feedback flying in every direction. It was colorful, collaborative, and the moment I began curating the lineup for the big day.

Curating a TEDx event isn’t just about picking great talks; it’s about weaving a tapestry of ideas — mindset, science, technology, history, self-discovery. I wanted the audience to leave feeling they had journeyed through a spectrum of thought and possibility.

Behind the Scenes: From Sketches to Stage

While the students honed their talks, the production machine whirred to life.

The ever-reliable Arpassara Techatawornsuk (Jan), Senior Operations Manager, became my partner in stage design crime. Picture the two of us crouched on the floor, tape measure in hand, sketching out rough stage plans on a Google Slides. That was the humble beginning.

From there, the magic-makers at The Bright Group, led by Khun Plai, brought in their art team to handle drapes, lighting, and — of course — the iconic TEDx sign. Piece by piece, our vision was becoming reality.

SJC provided the venue, professional TVs for displays, and recording equipment. Every contribution mattered, and slowly, the blank canvas of an auditorium became a stage worthy of TEDx.

Promotion, Alumni, and Community Support

While June through August saw the girls refining their scripts and slides, I shifted my focus to promotion. I built a website, launched an @tedxsjcschoolbangkok Instagram account, and began a countdown to the big day.

The lineup grew even richer when we secured four incredible alumni speakers. Two were still in the middle of their educational journeys, while two were already thriving in their careers. What connected them all was their shared history of once walking SJC’s halls.

Adrienne, with her unbeatable knack for networking, also secured support from local businesses. We had halftime treats, partnerships, and even a collaboration!

• L’Envol Art Space by Arnaud Nazare-Aga
• Uncle John International Bistro
• Malongcake (มาลองก์เค้ก)

And most especially with Puriphy, a soon-to-launch sustainable business, helping us champion sustainability and offset our event’s carbon footprint. Their involvement not only sweetened the event (literally!) but also added another layer of purpose and connection to the local community.

It’s Showtime!

Finally, the week arrived.

The stage was set. The talks were polished. The girls had practiced until their nerves gave way to excitement. The room buzzed with anticipation.

As the lights dimmed and the opening words were spoken, something electric filled the air. One by one, our student speakers walked onto that stage and delivered talks that were raw, powerful, and deeply personal.

Was everything flawless? Of course not. But perfection wasn’t the goal. Authenticity was. And as I watched each young woman stand tall under the spotlight, I knew they had achieved something far greater than “perfect.”

They had owned their voices.

By the end of the day, you could see the pride radiating from every speaker. They weren’t just students anymore. They were TEDx speakers — part of less than 0.5% of the world’s population who can claim that title.

The Speakers: Young Women Rising

Here’s a glimpse at our incredible lineup:

And our special guest speakers:

Bright Reflections

As the applause faded and the lights came back up, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This wasn’t just an event; it was a movement—a space where young women could rise — unapologetically, courageously, and brilliantly.

Was it one of the most rewarding projects of my life? Absolutely. To witness students transform from tentative idea-sharers in a classroom to confident TEDx speakers on stage is something I’ll never forget.

I am endlessly proud of every single one of them. They took risks, bared their hearts, and stepped into the spotlight — and in doing so, inspired everyone in that room. TEDx SJC School Bangkok wasn’t just about talks. It was about empowerment, growth, and the belief that when young women rise, the world rises with them.

Here’s to TEDx SJC. Here’s to Young Women Rising. And here’s to the next generation of voices who will change the world!